Federal File

Official Thanks

As leaders of the Annenberg Challenge gathered in Washington last
week to give themselves a collective pat on the back, Secretary of
Education Rod Paige handed out some kudos of his own.

In his former job as schools superintendent in Houston, Mr. Paige
said, he witnessed the good that came from the national school
improvement initiative launched by retired U.S. ambassador and
publisher Walter H. Annenberg 81/2 years ago. Houston was one of nine
large urban areas around the country that received five-year matching
grants from the challenge between 1995 and 1997.

"The effects of your generosity will ripple down through the ages
and have a huge impact for years and years to come," Mr. Paige said,
referring to the philanthropist. Mr. Paige made his remarks at an event
marking the release of a report on what was learned and accomplished by
the challenge, which included major urban, rural, and arts education
efforts. ("Annenberg
Challenge Yields Lessons for Those Hoping to Change Schools," June
12, 2002.)

Secretary Paige was the keynote speaker at the event, which was held
June 12 a few blocks from the White House, where Mr. Annenberg had
announced his $500 million gift to American public education in
1993.

Some critics have questioned whether Mr. Annenberg got his money's
worth. And the report acknowledges some disappointments and missteps,
including a tendency by the initiative to spread itself too thin.

Mr. Paige, for his part, voiced no doubts about the Annenberg
Challenge's accomplishments. But he made clear that he saw even Mr.
Annenberg's landmark gift as little more than a down payment on what's
needed to fulfill the goal of creating "an education system that
educates 100 percent of our kids."

Turning toward Mr. Annenberg's wife, Leonore, who was on hand to
represent her 94-year-old husband, Mr. Paige said, "It's almost
shameful for me to ask you to redouble your efforts, but I think that's
going to be required."